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Toronto Police are looking for two suspects wanted in the shooting death of Joseph Petit, 17. Petit was Toronto's first homicide victim of 2016. (SUPPLIED)

On Jan. 4 at around 5:50 p.m., Petit returned to his home on Detonia Ave., in the Victoria Park and Danforth Aves. area, after walking his dog.

He dropped the German Sheppard off inside and immediately went back out to meet two men.

The 17-year-old was shot two minutes into their conversation, police say.

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He died in hospital a few days later.

The suspects were last seen walking toward the Victoria Park subway station.

“There is no doubt that some of Joseph’s friends and associates know what happened to Joseph that day,” said homicide Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux at a Wednesday morning press conference. “We need participation of witnesses from the community to come forward.”

“The lack of witness participation remains the most challenging aspect of all murder investigations.”

Ana Pavao, Joseph’s mother, said she found her son lying on the street as she was returning from work.

“I came upon my son and called 911. Had I not been there, my son would have died alone,” his mother said, visibly holding back tears.

“I’ve seen things and done things that no mother should have to do.”

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Pavao said her son left behind two siblings, who are working through their grief with the help of victims’ services.

“We are incomplete. We live in constant sadness and no amount of time will ever change that,” she said.

“Joey is never going to come back to us. He needs your help,” Pavao said.

“The demographics and the people who know what happened to Joseph shouldn’t be motivated by financial gain,” he said.

Petit was not known to police, Giroux said at the time of the murder, and detectives do not have any information suggesting Petit was carrying any weapon at the time he was shot.

Joseph dreamed of joining the military, and won an award for kindness from his high school in the fall.

To contact the Toronto Police homicide unit, call 416-808-7400 or leave a tip at Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

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